Redemption

Chapter 11

Felix let out a heavy sigh. He ran his fingers through his hair, tugging at the strands. I can't take this anymore, he thought. Kat is going to drive me crazy... One minute it seems like I'll be able to move on and we'll be fine, and the next we're fighting and we're not fine. Stupid woman...

Shaking his head, he decided he knew just what he needed to do to fix this. A workout ought to make things better. Especially since Emma's always at the gym this time of day. He hoped that no one who knew him was around in the gym. Felix didn't think he could stand seeing anyone besides Emma in this state. He seriously wanted to punch something right now, and most of the people he knew would only increase the likelihood that he would punch something—something he shouldn't punch.

He stretched and got up, grabbing his keys and jacket. Kat would likely be angry when she came back from shopping and found him gone, but she would just have to deal with it. Still, he decided to leave her a note saying that he'd gone to the gym so she wouldn't be too angry at him when he returned. The last thing he wanted to deal with was another argument tonight.

With that, he headed to his car, eager to get to the gym.

As he pulled out of the driveway, he turned on some music letting it wash over him. The drive was quiet and surprisingly soothing, but he still felt like he wanted to hit something by the time he pulled into the parking lot of the gym. With a huff, he turned the car off, got out, and locked it behind him as he headed inside.

Emma was just heading out of the changing rooms toward the private workout rooms when he walked in. She greeted him with her thousand-watt smile and a wave. Felix felt some of the tension slipping out of him as he smiled back and walked to meet her.

"Felix! Good to see you. Did you come to train today?"

Felix nodded, cracking his knuckles to get a laugh from his trainer. "You bet... I feel ready to explode. It's been a rough day... No, it's been a rough week, more like it."

"Problems with the wife?" Emma asked, smiling warmly.

"Yeah, like usual... I'm sick of her whining."

"Why don't you just get a divorce then?" Emma led the way to an empty training room.

"No. I made a promise, and I keep my word. I said for better or worse."

"No one really believes that means anything anymore. Most people have been divorced at least once. Marriages were never meant to last, Felix." Emma waved a hand toward the mat. "Now come on, let's get started. After this, we could go get a drink... If you want to relax a little, you know?"

Felix bit his lip. She's always so supportive. I don't see why not... Kat will be mad no matter when I come home, so really, who cares whether she'd like it or not? "Yeah, sure."

She grinned. "You need to just lighten up and blow of some steam, Felix. It's not good for you to be so stressed out all the time. As your trainer, it's my responsibility to look after your health and diet. So... I say you need to find some time to calm down and destress. In fact, I'm going to start making sure you do, okay?"

"Thanks..." Felix mumbled. "You're so understanding... So not like my wife. I appreciate that."

"That's because I'm not a petulant child who doesn't trust my boyfriend with other people. Unlike your wife, clearly." Emma started strapping on the kickboxing gear.

Felix knew, somewhere deep down, that he shouldn't let Emma talk that way about Kat, but at this point, he was too angry with his wife to tell Emma to stop dissing her. "Yeah, clearly," he muttered.